Flexinol Wire : SMAs

WEEK 13

Here I tested the high current load circuit in order to use the analog program in Arduino.

Playing with a moth.

My expectations for the movements of the moth were a bit different since flapping a wing is an active motion both back and forth, and the coil only provides an active movement in the closing of the wings. Regardless, it was fun to experiment with different delays, as well as the shapes and weights of the paper.

The first moth is made of light notebook paper, and as a result tends to have a harder time returning to its original position.

The second moth, on the other hand, is made of card stock and is considerably heavier. The shape in which it’s cut also seems to affect the type of motion resulting from the flexinol retracting.